SAN FRANCISCO — Auto manufacturer Groupe PSA North America is sketching plans for a multi-brand subscription service, President and Chief Executive Larry Dominique told attendees at Auto Finance Innovation 2018 earlier this month.
“One thing that makes PSA unique [from other OEMs] on a global basis is that over in Europe under the Free2Move banner we have multi-brand leasing, mobility solutions, and connected services,” he said. “What that means is we don’t just lease and subscribe PSA vehicles — we do Volkswagen, Ford, and other vehicles. We want to have multi-branded solutions in North America, as well.”
Launched in September 2016, Groupe PSA’s global mobility brand Free2Move unites its suite of carsharing, fleet sharing, fleet management, and lease offerings.
Separately, Groupe PSA will launch a physical carsharing facility in an undisclosed U.S. city this year and in two or three more cities next year, Dominique said.
PSA’s carsharing operates as a free-flow service, meaning consumers select and access the nearest vehicle via the Free2Move app. When consumers are finished, they can park the vehicle in the nearest public, legal parking spot.
Groupe PSA — which manufactures Peugeot, Citroën, DS Automobiles, Opel, and Vauxhall brands — announced its reentrance into the U.S. market in April 2016 after a 26-year hiatus. The OEM opened its North American headquarters in Atlanta last month.